Canterbury nursery manager Jake Linklater has won the prestigious Young Horticulturist of the Year, having excelled in an intensive two-day competition.

This is the second year in a row that a Young Plant Producer of the Year has gone on to take out the supreme trophy.

The judges praised the 29-year-old for his high level of skill and his ability to see things through a broad lens.

Jake also took out the Bayer Best Practice Award for being the highest point scorer in the practical challenges and the Horticentre Charitable Trust Sustainability Award for demonstrating understanding and application of sustainability in their professional and personal life.

The Christchurch father of two – who has girls called Ivy and Violet – was one of six finalists who earned the right to take part in the revered and highly-respected competition, having won their sector awards.

Now in its 20^th year, the competition is run by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education (RNZIHE) Trust, to showcase the best in young horticultural talent in New Zealand and help them develop early in their career.

The comprehensive contest, held in the Karaka Pavilion, in Auckland, included practical challenges as well as finalists needing to demonstrate business acumen and leadership skills, devise and present an innovation concept, and present why they love their industry to the gala dinner attendees.

“The competition was incredibly close with judges commending the caliber of the finalists – such a highlight in our 20^th year,” Shaun Trevan, (RNZIHE) Trust chair, said.

Tasked with presenting to the audience on what they love about their sector, Jake, a Hebe enthusiast who is Nova Natives nursery manager at Nova Trust, said: “There’s something unique about the nursery industry that sets it apart. It’s a sector that takes everyday people and molds them into innovators, creators and botanists.

“We don’t always get the praise because we aren’t as part of the end result, but we as plant producers are the very fabric of horticulture. Some plant producers, for example, spend a lifetime breeding the best possible cultivars for our industry that can be for flower garden, fruit size, yield, form, pest and disease resistance, climate resilience.

“Plant producers are fundamental to driving our industry forward, making us stronger and more resilient as horticulturists, every large orchard, every restoration project, every green landscape, starts with the plant producer.

More than $50,000 in prizes were awarded to the emerging horticulture talent this evening.

Jake was ecstatic, holding the glass trophy by Auckland sculptor Evelyn Dunstan, and overwhelmed by his prizes – $8,000 cash prize as the Supreme Winner, as well as $4,750 for his category wins.

Young Viticulturist, Nina Downer, took out second place, earning a prize of $5,000, and Wellington Young Amenity winner River Foster was third, with a $2,000 prize.

• Young Horticulturist of the Year
  • First place – Young Plant Producer, Jake Linklater
  • Second place – Young Viticulturist, Nina Downer
  • Third place – Young Amenity, River Foster

There were also category awards, each with either cash or scholarships to help the finalists to continue their career development:

• Woolworths Innovation Project:
  • First place (with a $5,000 prize) – Young Viticulturist, Nina Downer
  • Second place (with $2,500) – Young Grower, Grace Fulford
  • Third place ($1,500) – New Arborist, Jordan Sutherland
  • All other finalists received $500 & all finalists received $500 for their perseverance and commitment
• The T&G Fresh Practical Components Award:
  • Highest score in the practical components ($5,000 travel scholarship) – Young Viticulturist, Nina Downer
• The Woolworths Best in Sector Award:
  • Highest sector score ($750 each) – First Equal – Young Plant Producer, Jake Linklater & Young Viticulturist, Nina Downer
• Fruitfed Supplies Leadership Award:
  • For outstanding leadership during the competition ($5,000 leadership/professional development scholarship) – Young Florist/Flower Grower, Jade Bedel
• Bayer Best Practice Award:
  • Highest score in practical components with crop management and sustainability practices focus ($2,500 professional development scholarship) – – Young Plant Producer, Jake Linklater
• Craigmore Sustainable Best Presentation Award:
  • Highest score in presentation category ($1,500) – Young Amenity winner River Foster
• Horticentre Charitable Trust Sustainability Award:
  • Highest score in interview section, with demonstrable understanding and application of sustainability in professional and personal life ($1,500) – Young Plant Producer, Jake Linklater

The Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust is a volunteer group of industry professionals passionate about investing in future sector talent, through developing leadership and self-development capability in an industry that employs more than 60,000 people.

The very first winner Dean Astill says the competition helped him “hugely” early in his career.

“The recognition and exposure to many opportunities, as well as helping me grow as a person and to foster my confidence.”

He aspired to be a successful orchard manager within the following decade and went on to establish Berry Farms NZ alongside business partner of 15 years Craig Hall in 2017, a leading grower of Driscoll’s berries based in Hawkes Bay. Berry Farms NZ is part of the RD8 Fresh Produce Group.

Hon Nicola Grigg, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Horticulture) spoke via video to tell the finalists: “Horticulture’s export revenue is forecast to hit a record breaking $8.5bn this year, a massive 19% growth from the previous year. And that success is down to you. It is down to the dedication and resilience of people like you.

“The Young Horticulturist of the Year competition is a brilliant example of investing in our young people and helping grow this industry’s future. It’s a great way to showcase the skills and talents of young Kiwis and to highlight the exciting opportunities that are available in the sector.

“Young people are absolutely key to the future of horticulture. You bring fresh thinking, innovation, capability and the workforce that we need to keep growing. As science and technology evolve, you’ll be at the forefront adopting and applying new ideas to help our businesses thrive and for the sector to succeed long term. We need strong, visible leadership from talented young people like you all with bold ideas that are prepared to drive and keep on improving.”

All the 2025 Young Horticulturist of the Year finalists are invited to a professional development event next year, including Belbin leadership profiling and training for managing teams.

Contestants from Left to Right – Jade Bedel, Nina Downer, Jake Linklater, River Foster, Jordan Sutherland, Grace Fulford